Harlequin Historical September 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Christine Merrill

  He shifted in his seat, hoping she didn’t notice the bulge in his pants.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Evelyn

  Evelyn opened the wicker basket at her feet. She pulled out a bowl of fruit. Her stomach growled and she devoured grapes, strawberries and pineapple chunks.

  “Are you hungry?” she thought to ask when she had only one grape left in the bowl.

  Lorenzo laughed. “No, I ate while you were sleeping.”

  She pulled out a small plate with a warm pie. She grabbed a fork from the side pocket. Lorenzo’s cook was almost as good as her grand. It took her no time to finish off the pie. Next, she pulled out a small piece of chocolate cake. Her stomach was already full, but she couldn’t turn down a piece of chocolate cake. That would be blasphemous.

  Lorenzo reached over and removed some icing from the side of her lip with his thumb, then he licked it. The gesture, and his unexpected touch on the sensitive skin by her mouth, sent a shiver through her. Her eyes grew wide.

  A pang of guilt hit her in that moment, as she happily enjoyed the afternoon with Lorenzo and fought back the memories of her family being murdered by the hands of people who would have spared Lorenzo’s life because his skin was the right color. She and Lorenzo had had a couple of intimate close calls now, and she couldn’t help but think it was better that things hadn’t gone further.

  “Is everything okay?” Lorenzo asked, seeming to notice her shift.

  She nodded. “The cake is very good.”

  Lorenzo said, “Delicious. Cook sure knows how to make the icing creamy and sweet.”

  Evelyn had a feeling that he wasn’t only talking about the icing being sweet, but she couldn’t be sure. She wanted more of his touches. She remembered pulling him on top of her last night, and the way his soft lips had felt against the bare skin on her neck. He’d been warm, and his beard had tickled her.

  Licking her lips at the memory, she said, “Yes, it is very sweet.”

  He looked at her, one corner of his mouth pulled up in a knowing grin.

  “Did you want a bite of the cake?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  When she’d offered, she hadn’t realized that meant she would have to feed him, but she didn’t hesitate. She used the fork to scoop the last piece into his mouth. He licked his lips, sending desire cascading through her veins. The sensation was unfamiliar but pleasant—extremely pleasant.

  She wondered what it would feel like to kiss him again. She’d been a little under the influence last night, but she’d known what she was doing when she’d pulled him to her. She’d known what she wanted and had been thoroughly disappointed when he’d denied her.

  “Do you make a habit of denying the advances of women in your bed, Mr. De Luca?” Evelyn smirked.

  “I’ve never had a woman in my bed, Miss Laroque. You were the first.”

  “You mean you’ve never—?”

  Lorenzo interrupted. “Yes, I’ve been with women. I just don’t have them in my home. It’s my sanctuary, and I never want a woman to get the wrong idea about our...encounter.”

  “So why did you take me to your apartment? You could have easily taken me to my own.”

  Lorenzo looked at her briefly, before returning his eyes to the road. His hands gripped the steering wheel tighter.

  He took a deep breath. “You’re different. I wanted you in my home...in my bed.” He looked at her again.

  That sideways smile he gave sent waves of longing straight to Evelyn’s heart and it threatened to thrum right out of her chest.

  She looked away, out of the window, to compose herself.

  Focusing back on the road, he said, “You look like you’re thinking about something. Anything you want to share?”

  “No,” she said hurriedly.

  He laughed.

  She’d been so consumed by him she hadn’t had a chance to be nervous about him meeting her grand and seeing the secret town. How would she explain why she’d let someone like him not only know about the town but come to it?

  The cement buildings of the city had been transformed into fields of grass and corn. They drove for a while longer before reaching the small, almost imperceptible dirt road that led to West Eden. Evelyn could always find the road because there was a small cross about a mile before they needed to turn right on the path.

  “Turn here,” Evelyn said suddenly.

  Lorenzo jerked the car to the right and looked at her. “A little more notice next time?”

  “Sorry, it’s not supposed to be easy to find.”

  They rode in silence for miles before the buildings of West Eden emerged, set behind a canopy of trees.

  Evelyn remembered the first time she’d seen this city beneath the trees. The buildings there were only permitted to have five or fewer stories, to ensure no one would see them from afar. Trees surrounded the entire town, making it look like there was nothing but forest in this direction from all angles.

  There were cars as nice as Lorenzo’s roadster buzzing down the busy streets. On the main street into town there was a bakery, owned by Evelyn’s good friend’s family, and the movie theater, the three banks, and the hospital were all Black-owned.

  Greenwood had been very similar to West Eden. Evelyn’s mother had been one of the head doctors there, in the field of gynecology. She’d had to prove her expertise to earn that position.

  In West Eden, people bustled about dressed in suits, drop-waist dresses, hats and gloves. Evelyn was glad they’d come during the day. She wanted Lorenzo to get a full view of the beauty of this place.

  At night, the buildings dimmed their lights, to make sure they weren’t spotted from above. Around Thanksgiving, though, they put up Christmas lights, but they only kept them on for an hour in the evening. That time of year was magical, and the lights only made the surrealness of this place more evident.

  The other thing that worked in West Eden’s favor was that no one would believe a town like it could exist in total secret, run by Black business owners and politicians, yet here it was.

  There were some members of the government who knew of the town and made sure it stayed off the map, but other than that, if you were not a resident, you didn’t know if West Eden was real or a myth—which made Lorenzo an anomaly. Evelyn took a deep breath as people noticed the roadster and its driver.

  “Are you okay?” Lorenzo peered at her.

  “Yes, I’m just worried that people will be upset that I brought you here. You’re not exactly... How do I say it?”

  “I’m not Black.”

  “Yes, that’s it!” Evelyn laughed.

  This town had been created out of a need for Black people in the country to have a safe place to thrive and find the same American dream that others could find elsewhere.

  “I’m not going to speak of this place,” he said. “You know that, right?”

  “I know, Lorenzo. It’s just that there are two Americas, and you come from the one that kills people who look like me just because they can.”

  Lorenzo looked puzzled, like he wanted to ask a question, but wasn’t sure what to ask. “There’s only one America, Evey.”

  Taken aback by his term of endearment, Evelyn faltered and didn’t say anything at first. She liked that he had a special name for her. His smile was so sincere, she couldn’t help but smile herself.

  Continuing, she said, “There are two. The one you come from offers prosperity and the pursuit of happiness. The one I come from—the one the residents of this town come from—says we were born less than human, that we’re criminals who will never be as good as others because of the color of our skin. Our Americas are not the same.”

  Lorenzo fell silent. Evelyn didn’t want to continue the conversation. She didn’t like having to admit the reality of how Black people had to learn to survive by striving to be better and then
were still not considered good enough.

  “Take a left, and my house is on the right.”

  Lorenzo followed her instructions, and moments later they were at Evelyn’s grand’s home. The two-story gray and white house with the red door stood out on the street. The other doors were more muted colors such as beige, brown or white. Evelyn’s grand had always had eclectic taste; Evelyn loved that about her.

  “I like the red door,” Lorenzo said.

  “I figured you would, Mr. Green Couch.”

  They both laughed. Lorenzo got out of the car and walked around to open Evelyn’s door.

  “After you,” he said, and he took her hand and helped her from the car.

  Taking one more deep breath, she walked toward the front door. In some ways she felt like she was about to go to trial for a crime she didn’t believe should be a crime.

  Mustering as much courage as she could, she took out her key and opened the door. “Grand? Are you here?”

  “Evelyn?”

  Her grand’s voice came from the back. She appeared in the front room wearing an apron and wiping her hands. She looked like an older, more distinguished version of Evelyn. She walked right up to her and cupped her face.

  “Are you all right? Your brother called to tell me he had to come by that club.”

  Seeming to realize they weren’t alone, Evelyn’s grand let her gaze roam over Lorenzo appraisingly. Then she turned back to her with concern in her eyes.

  “Who is this, Evelyn? Why would you bring him here?”

  “This is Lorenzo. He’s the owner of Blues Moon. He already knew of West Eden, and we can trust him. He’s been so wonderful to me.” Her grand didn’t seem convinced, so Evelyn added, “He protected me, Grand, from the KKK—twice.”

  She didn’t add that he was the son of a mobster and her association to him could get her killed. It still gave her pause, even though her attraction to him had severely impaired her judgment about him so far. She did believe that he would do whatever he could to keep her safe, but she couldn’t risk her own life when it meant her grand wouldn’t have anyone to take care of her.

  Her grand’s skin had lost its color. “I knew you shouldn’t have gone to that city.” But she backed up and allowed them to enter the room. “Have a seat, please. Lorenzo, is it?”

  Evelyn’s grandmother held her hand out. Her expression was still filled with concern.

  “Yes, ma’am. Please don’t worry. I have known of this place for many years. I would never share the location or its existence with anyone.”

  Evelyn’s grand’s eyebrow arched, and she pursed her lips.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Lorenzo

  Lorenzo sat on a black couch. He rubbed his hand on the smooth fabric. He really liked how the couch had such modern lines but was incredibly comfortable. He’d have to have Jerry find him one just like it.

  “You have a lovely home, Mrs....?”

  “Dupre—but you can call me Delphine.”

  “My apologies, Delphine.”

  He took a quick glance at Evelyn. Her eyes were wide, and she looked nervous.

  “Grand, have you been taking it easy like the doctor said?” Evelyn asked.

  “No. These doctors think they know it all, but they don’t know nothing about the healing power of food and herbs.” Delphine took a seat in the large armchair next to the couch.

  “Oh, no—what did you do?” Evelyn said.

  “You worry too much, child. I’m fine. And I sent that nurse away. I don’t want nobody hovering over me all day.” Delphine said.

  “You what?” Evelyn threw her hands up. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Nothing. You need to live your life and stop worrying so much about little ol’ me. I’ve been surviving for sixty some years.” Delphine stood and walked out of the room.

  Evelyn shook her head. “She is so stubborn.”

  Lorenzo laughed.

  “What’s funny?” Evelyn asked indignantly.

  “I see where you get it from.” Lorenzo reached out and squeezed Evelyn’s gloved hand playfully.

  “Grand, I thought maybe you could come to the city and see where I’ll be staying,” Evelyn said, loud enough for her grandmother to hear her in the back.

  Her grand reappeared with two glasses of tea on a silver tray with a plate of pastries. Her face softened at the idea.

  “I’ll have to ask someone to drive me up there, but it would put my heart at ease to know where you’re spending your time—and with whom.” Delphine gave Lorenzo a look of displeasure.

  “That won’t be necessary,” Lorenzo said. “I will have a driver come pick you up.”

  “Oh, you will?” Delphine sat in the chair. She looked tired. “Evelyn, why don’t you run up and get your things, so I can talk to Mr. Lorenzo?” She smiled a mischievous grin.

  “Okay. I’ll be right back down.” Evelyn headed up the stairs, giving Lorenzo an I’m sorry look.

  “So, what exactly do you do, Mr. Lorenzo, besides running a club?” Delphine asked.

  “I have a few other business ventures, but my main focus is on the club. I would like to open another soon. I believe that music brings people together, and I love being a part of that.”

  Lips pursed and eyebrows arched in what Lorenzo was starting to think of as Delphine’s “not amused” face. He honestly didn’t know where he was going wrong with her, but he would continue to try because he wanted to have her validation.

  He hadn’t ever cared what anyone thought of him. Enter Evey into his life and all of a sudden his character was on trial—and he so wanted to be proven innocent. Even though he’d had some shady things in his past, he believed in certain ideals wholeheartedly and he would fight to protect the rights of others.

  He wasn’t just chinning. He meant what he said.

  Delphine fired off a few more questions.

  Lorenzo was very vague about his family, not wanting to give her any reason not to let Evey leave with him. He’d been thinking of her as Evey in his head for a while, and when he’d said it to her he’d thought she might be offended, but she hadn’t even commented. That gave him a shred of hope.

  Evelyn came back down the stairs and Lorenzo almost jumped for joy. He was in the hot seat with Delphine, and he wasn’t sure how much more he could take.

  “We’re going to have to go now, but I’ll see you this evening?” Evelyn walked to the front door.

  Lorenzo was on her tail, anxious to leave.

  “Oh, dear... I’d hoped to spend more time with you and your employer,” said Delphine.

  “Lorenzo’s my...my friend as well.”

  She and Lorenzo exchanged a look.

  They hadn’t known each other long, but Lorenzo was glad she thought of him as more than just her boss. He didn’t want her to think of him as a boss at all, actually. He wanted her to think of him as someone she could depend on and trust—her equal and her confidant and her lover...

  Lorenzo mentally scolded himself for that last one.

  Evey was looking at him as if she’d said something and he hadn’t responded. “What did you say?” he asked.

  “I said, are you ready?”

  Lorenzo nodded a little too enthusiastically. Evelyn’s grandmother couldn’t hate him any more than she already did.

  Lorenzo took Evelyn’s bags from her and walked out to the car. Then he gave Evelyn and her grandmother some privacy. He stood by the open passenger door and waited. Evelyn and her grandmother hugged for a long time before releasing each other.

  The town was absolutely beautiful. The well-manicured lawns led to beautifully painted houses. In front of those houses were some of the newest models of all kinds of cars. He looked down the street as far as he could see at Model Ts, Model Ss, roadsters, Rolls-Royces...parked on the street and in drivew
ays. He had been let in on a secret, and he was honored.

  He wanted to do something to support this town’s success. He had no idea what he could do, or if anyone would even want his help, but he wanted to see this place continue to prosper. Although perhaps the best thing he could do would be to keep his mouth shut about what he’d seen.

  Two women walked down the sidewalk, pushing strollers. They eyed him with curiosity. He didn’t miss how they looked him up and down, assessing him in that way women had of making a man feel desired. He smiled at them. They whispered to each other and walked on to their destination.

  “I’m ready. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  Lorenzo hadn’t heard Evelyn approach. He turned to see her soaking up the sunlight. She emanated beauty. Her high cheekbones sparkled in the light and her gold eyes looked even more golden as she stared at him.

  He needed to say something and stop gawking at her. “It’s no problem. I’m happy to be here with you.” His voice came out hoarse.

  Evelyn didn’t respond. She got into the car, her face unreadable. She seemed different. He wasn’t sure why, but the lighthearted woman he’d driven here with had been replaced by a woman of coldness. Her grandmother had probably said something to upset her. He wasn’t sure if he should inquire, or leave her be.

  “Is there anywhere else you want to go? We do have a little more time before we need to head back for your set.”

  “No, I think we should probably just make our way back to the city.”

  He hadn’t hit it off with her grandmother, and he hoped that wasn’t the cause of her change in mood. He didn’t want to ask her. He wouldn’t ask her.

  “Did I do something wrong?” The damn question came out anyway.

  She sighed loudly. He could see her looking at him in his peripheral vision. He didn’t want to take his eyes off the road. The town was busy, with a lot going on, and people were everywhere.

  “No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just something my grand said.”